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Hundreds of Students from Tampa Area Schools Participate in 11th Annual Model United Nations Conference

Students from Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties come together for UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms Model UN simulation

April 1, 2013

TAMPA BAY -- More than 500 middle and high school students from the Tampa area are attending the United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Classrooms® Tampa Bay Model UN Conference today at the University of South Florida. In Model UN, students role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups and nongovernmental organizations in simulations of UN bodies. Global Classrooms Model UN has amazed schools around the globe with its ability to cultivate global literacy, life skills, and attitudes necessary for active citizenship, showing that students deeply care about the world outside their local communities.

Over the years, UNA-USA’s Tampa Bay Chapter has worked with UNA-USA and local teachers to implement Global Classrooms in area schools.

“Students’ participation in Model UN today marks the beginning of a long period of engagement between them and the work of the United Nations,” said UNA-USA Executive Director Patrick Madden. “Participants in the Tampa conference become members of UNA-USA today, and they can immediately engage with our Tampa Bay Chapter and work on the global issues they care most about.”

Students will be a part of diverse committees that discuss situations of global importance such as peace and security, global health, the environment, and human rights. Volunteers from area colleges and universities are helping the students throughout the day as they work through their issue areas.

Conference attendees hail from Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. More information on the Tampa Bay Conference can be found at www.unausa.org/gctampa.

About UNA-USA

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years, UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more about UNA-USA’s programs and initiatives at www.unausa.org.

About Global Classrooms

The United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Classrooms Model UN is an educational program that engages public middle schooland high school students in the United States and abroad in an exploration of current world issues through interactive simulations and curricular materials. Global Classrooms is the only comprehensive program of study and instruction based on Model UN, the largest Model UN network both inside and outside the United States, and the only Model UN provider focused on underserved populations. Impacting more than 25,000 students and teachers annually, Global Classrooms is implemented as a stand-alone curriculum, co-curricular, and as an after school program. For more information, visit www.unausa.org/globalclassrooms.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.